Maize farmers are unable to get payments in Karimnagar

Maize farmers in Karimnagar are facing multiple problems during the procurement season, including delayed payments, shortage of gunny bags and transport facilities. Farmers allege they are being forced to sell excess produce to middlemen at prices far below the minimum support price

Karimnagar: Maize farmers are facing problems right from the beginning of this procurement season. The procurement process itself was delayed as the Central government, which usually procures maize through Markfed, refused to do so this time.

Though the state government came forward to purchase the crop through Markfed, farmers are facing difficulties due to a lack of gunny bags, hamalis to weigh the crop, vehicles to transport the produce to godowns and other issues.

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Adding to their problems, payment has also been delayed. Though the government assured that the amount for the purchased crop would be deposited in farmers’ bank accounts within 48 hours, the ground reality is different.

Farmers are unable to receive the amount even after 15 days of procurement. Subsequently, ryots, who are preparing their lands for the Vanakalam season, are worried about investments. So far, a total of 1.78 lakh quintals of maize crop has been procured from 4,720 farmers by establishing centres in Karimnagar, Choppadandi, Ganneruvaram, Chigurumamidi, Thimmapur, Saidapur and Jammikunta.

The government has to pay Rs 42.92 crore to farmers since Rs 2,400 is the minimum support price for a quintal of maize. However, it is learnt that not a single rupee has been paid to farmers so far. Farmers are eagerly waiting for the amount. On the other hand, farmers are facing problems due to a condition that only 25 quintals of maize produced per acre would be procured. This has become a loss for farmers since about 35 to 40 quintals are being produced per acre.

As a result, farmers are being forced to sell the remaining crop to middlemen at Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,800 per quintal against the MSP of Rs 2,400 fixed for maize.

As a result, farmers are losing around Rs 600 on every quintal.